Description

Book Synopsis

In 1768, at the age of nineteen, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe began to study hermetic literature. This exploration had a huge impact on the early aesthetic education of Europe’s great man of letters, the last renaissance titan. In the years that followed, Goethe immersed himself in the hermetic tradition, and even set up an alchemic laboratory and attempted to make an elixir of immortality. Although he eventually gave up his alchemical experiments, he was to believe in the validity of the Great Work for the rest of his life.

Alchemic symbolism is prominent in many of Goethe’s works, and it is particularly abundant in the tales of self-mastery and transformation presented in this collection. Included here are new translations of “Fairy Tale” (“Märchen”), Goethe’s alchemical allegory; “The Counselor” and “The New Melusina,” stories of temptation and the tests of love; “The Good Woman,” a curious dis

Tales for Transformation

    Product form

    £13.49

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £14.99 – you save £1.50 (10%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Wed 5 Aug 2026.

    A Paperback by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Scott Thompson

    Out of stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Tales for Transformation by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

      Publisher: City Lights Books
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 2/18/1988 12:00:00 AM
      ISBN13: 9780872863637, 978-0872863637
      ISBN10: 0872863638

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      In 1768, at the age of nineteen, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe began to study hermetic literature. This exploration had a huge impact on the early aesthetic education of Europe’s great man of letters, the last renaissance titan. In the years that followed, Goethe immersed himself in the hermetic tradition, and even set up an alchemic laboratory and attempted to make an elixir of immortality. Although he eventually gave up his alchemical experiments, he was to believe in the validity of the Great Work for the rest of his life.

      Alchemic symbolism is prominent in many of Goethe’s works, and it is particularly abundant in the tales of self-mastery and transformation presented in this collection. Included here are new translations of “Fairy Tale” (“Märchen”), Goethe’s alchemical allegory; “The Counselor” and “The New Melusina,” stories of temptation and the tests of love; “The Good Woman,” a curious dis

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account